Caulking strip applicator for corrugated panel



Nov. 3,1970 L. F. MIKLOS 3,537,941

CAULKING STRIP APPLICATOR FOR CORRUGATED PANEL Filed Feb. 7, 1968 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Lou/5 F MIKLOS ATTORNEY Nov. 3,1970 1.. F.MIKLOS 3,537,941

CAULKING STRIP APPLICATOR' FOR CORRUGATED PANEL Filed Feb. 7, 1968 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Lou/s E MIKLOS ATTORNEY 3,537,941 CAULKINGSTRIP APPLICATOR FOR CORRUGATED PANEL Louis F. Miklos, Lake County, Ind.(6151 Delaware St., Gary, Ind. 46409) Filed Feb. 7, 1968, S91. No.703,711 Int. Cl. E04d 15/06 US. Cl. 156-577 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE An apparatus for applying caulking strip easily, rapidly andwith uniform pressure to building panels having a corrugated surface,either in a longitudinal direction on the valley or crest of acorrugation, or laterally over the crests and valleys of the corrugationto provide a seal between adjacent overlying panels forming the buildingwall. The apparatus comprises a sled device having runners adapted toslide longitudinally in the valley portion of the panel or straddlingthe crest portion thereof, and laterally across the crest portions ofthe panel. A spring loaded wheel assembly pivotally connects to the sleddevice to pivotally follow the sled. An upright handle is connected tothe sled device by which means the ap paratus is manually moved acrossthe panel; and means are provided on the handle to rotatably support acaulking strip roll which is payed out between the wheel and the panelto which the strip adheres with uniform thickness because the wheel ismade to bear against the strip with uniform pressure.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for applying stripmaterial and more particularly to new and useful improvements inapparatus for applying caulking strip material to corrugated sheetpanels.

Corrugated sheet panels are commonly used in building construction forcovering a framework and forming the walls and roof thereof. Thesecorrugated panel sheets are connected to the framework members andoverlap each other at their edges to provide a joined, continuous wallthereover. The overlapping edges of the adjoining corrugated panels areconnected together by means of fasteners and are further providedtherebetween with an adhering caulking material in the form ofcontinuous strips to provide sealed joints. The problem that myinvention is directed to is the application of the caulking strip to thecorrugated surface of the construction panels prior to the overlappingassembly.

The method of the prior art employed to apply an adhering caulking stripis by means of hand application. This manual labor slows the assembly ofpanel sheets and substantially increases the cost of the finishedconstruction. In addition, manual application of the seal strip resultsin uneven pressure at different points along the length of the sealstrip with consequent nonuniform thickness thereof and possible leakageat points of depression. Uneven pressure on the seal strip at differentpoints along the length thereof also causes tearing of the paper stripconvolutely rolled with the seal strip material for providing anon-stick side therefor. This results from the fact that the paper stripis not elastic and does not follow the deformation of the seal strip atthe point of excessive pressure application, but will instead tear apartat that point. This in turn causes additional labor to be expended toremove a plurality of separate paper strips from the applied seal strip.

Accordingly, the object of my invention is the provision of apparatusfor applying seal strip material to corrugated sheets.

United States Patent Another object of my invention is to provide anapparatus for applying seal strip material to corrugated sheets parallelto the corrugations and at right angles to the corrugations.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus forapplying seal strip material to corrugated sheets with uniform pressureand obtaining uniform thickness.

An additional object of my invention is to provide an apparatus forapplying seal strip material to corrugated sheets which is economical tomanufacture and easy to operate.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparentafter a more careful study of the following description of thespecification taken together with the accompanying drawing in which isillustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of my invention with the handleportion broken away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the roller device of my invention asviewed from the left side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the handle means sectioned at line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the handle means as viewed along lines55 of FIG. 1 showing the tape retainer bar longitudinally sectioned;

FIG. 6 is a frontal view of the tape retainer bar shown disassociatedfrom the handle means;

FIG. 7 is a plan elevation of the apparatus of my invention illustratedin FIGS. 1-7 modified to apply a seal strip on a corrugated panellongitudinally on the corrugation crest and laterally over the crest andvalleys thereof, the handle means is removed for illustrativeconvenience;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 7 illustrating theoperation thereof to apply a seal strip on the crest valley portions ofthe corrugations of a panel in a lateral direction thereover;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the apparatus of my invention shown infragment, with the handle means removed therefrom illustrating theoperation thereof to apply a caulking strip on the crest portion of thecorrugation of a panel in a longitudinal direction thereof;

FIG. 10 is an end elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 9 as viewed fromline 1010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view detail of the carriage runners and stripapplicator roller showing the guide function of the runners as the stripis longitudinally applied on the crest of the corrugated panel;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the overlapping portions of laterally adjacentpanels having a seal strip therebetween applied thereto by the apparatusof my invention;

FIG. 13 is an end view of longitudinally overlapping portions ofcorrugated panels showing the seal strip therebet-ween applied laterallythereacross by the apparatus of my invention;

FIG. 14 is a horizontal perspective view of the hinge pin for the stripapplicator device; and

FIG. 15 is a sectional detail of the locking portion of the hinge pinconnecting the side wall of the strip applicator device shown infragment.

With reference now to the drawings, reference numeral 10 designatesgenerally the apparatus of my invention. The preferred embodiment of myinvention comprises broadly a carriage device 12, a strip applicatordevice 14 and a handle means 16. Carriage device 12 is fabricated toinclude a horizontal plate member 18, one side 20 thereof is upturned;an elongated bar member 22 extending therefrom horizontally; a centrallongitudinal runner 24 having a forward bow end 26 and an upright legbrace 28 adapted for removable connection to the underside of plate andbar members 18 and 22 such as by screw connection and side runners 32and 34 connected to plate and bar members 18 and 22 such as by weldmentsat 36 and 38 to support runners 32 and 34 in parallel spaced relationastride central longitudinal runner 24 at a level raised therefrom. Theforepart of runners 32 and 34 are cured upwardly and inwardly becomingunitary at which portion it is connected to the forward end of barmember 22 by weldment as stated above. The rear end portions 40- and 42of runners 32 and 34 respectively, are angled upwardly and returned totheir respective runners and connected thereto by weldments to serve asbrace means or stilfeners.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, strip applicator device14 is a wheel assembly comprising a frame member 44 having spaced apartside walls 46 and 48 which are provided with laterally aligned holes toreceive the ends of pin 50 on which is rotatably mounted a flanged guidewheel 54, and to receive the ends of pin 52 on which is mounted spacersleeve 56. Spacer members 58 are provided on pin 50 which, together withspacer sleeve 56 maintain side walls 46 and 48 in spaced parallelrelation. Nuts 60 threadedly engage the ends of pins 50 and 52 to fixside walls 46 and 48 in position. Spacer sleeve 56 also serves as asupport and retaining means for yoke member 62 preventing pivotalmovement thereof about its axis of support at the ends of yoke member 62which are connected to side walls 46 and 48 by means of screw fasteners64. Yoke member 62 rotatably supports strip applicator wheel 66 at thedistal end thereof and extends beyond frame member 44 a distancesufiicient so as to allow wheel 66 to apply caulking striplongitudinally in the valley of the corrugations of the panel sheet.Strip applicator device 14 is pivotally appended to carriage device 12by hinge means 68 which comprises a hinge bar 70 fixed between side wall46 and 48 which is formed with a hinge knuckle 72 adapted to fit betweena pair of hinge knuckles 74 of hinge bar 76 connecting plate member 18of carriage device 12. Hinge pin 78 through axially aligned knuckles 72and 74 pivotally connects applicator device 14 to carriage device 12. Iprovide leaf spring 80 which is formed to loop over the hinge joint. Oneend 82 of spring 80 is connected to hinge bar 70 as at 84 and the otherend 86 thereof biasly bears against plate member 18 so that stripapplicator device 14 pivotally rotates upwardly against the bias ofspring 80, and pivotally rotates downwardly due to the urging of spring80. One end portion 88 of hinge pin 78 is angled at right angles to thehinge axis as at 90 and again angled 90 to the hinge axis of pin 78and'end portion 88 as at 92. End

94 of pin 78 is bent back upon itself slightly spaced apart to receiveside wall 48 edgewise. End 94 is formed with a hook 96 which springsinto a recess or hole 98 (FIGS. 14 and 15) provided therefor in sidewall 48 of frame member 44.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 4-10, handle means 16 comprisesa sleeve base 100 which is secured to carriage device 12 at an inclineby being connected to the upturned side 20 of plate 18 by welding. Asshown in FIG. 7, sleeve base 100 is olf-set from the longitudinal centerline of carriage device 12 and connected to the returned portion of end42 of runner 34 by weldment as at 102 thereby providing prop means tobuttress and hold rigid sleeve base 100 in its inclined position. Handlebar 104 is adapted at one end thereof to telescopically seat in sleevebase 100 and is locked therein by means of key pin 106 having one legthereof inserted through aligned holes in handle bar 104 and sleeve base100. The other end of key pin 108 is curved to resiliently clipsemicircumferentially around sleeve base 100' as more clearlyillustrated in FIG. 4. The other end of handle bar 104 is adapted formanual holding. Intermediate said ends of handle bar 104, caulking striproll support means 110 is provided thereon. Support means 110 comprisesa hub member 112 for rotatably supporting thereon the convolutely rolledcaulking strip 114. A headed pin 116 extends from the center of hub 112for engaging roll retention bar 118'. Bar 118 is formed so that end 120thereof is laterally displaced as by bending so that the fiat of bar 118is laterally spaced from the fiat of end 120 and parallel thereto. Thisconfiguration allows for parallel sliding contact of end 120 with handlebar 104 and spacial accommodation of the roll of caulking strip 114.Slotted hole 122 is provided in end 120 through which screw pin 124 isinserted and connected to a threaded hole in handle bar 104 providedtherefor. The other end 126 is provided with a slot 128 having anenlarged end; the enlarged end of slot 128 allows the passagetherethrough of the head of pin 116 and accomplishes the retention ofbar 118 in place over hub member 112 when bar 118 is longitudinallyshifted to place pin 116 in the narrow portion of slot 128. End 126 isbent outwardly to provide manual grasp means therefor to longitudinallyshift bar 118 and to remove it from its roll retaining position whennecessary to do so such as when it is necessary to replace a roll ofcaulking strip. I allow suflicient clearance between the end 120 of rollretention bar 118 and handle bar 104 at screw pin 124 to permitdisengagement of bar 118 from pin 116.

The above described apparatus 10 of my invention is applicable to applyseal tape such as caulking strip 114, longitudinally in the valley ofthe corrugated panel 130 shown in part in FIG. 3. It will be noted thatthis panel design as shown in FIG. 3, comprises a plurality of broad,planular sections 132 spaced by narrow valleys such as valley 134.Valley 134 adjacent the edge of panel 130 overlappingly receives thevalley portion of the adjacent panel (not shown) after caulking strip114 is applied to valley 134 with the apparatus 10 of my invention.Central runner 24 of carriage member 12 is longitudinally guided by theconfining embankment of valley 134. Wheel 66 being distally mounted onstrip applicator device 14 by means of yoke 62 functions to descend invalley 134 by the urging of spring 80 acting to pivot strip applicatordevice 14 downward and to roll over caulking strip 114 with sutficientforce to cause a firm adherance of caulking strip 114 to panel 130.Since the roll of caulking strip 114 is rotatably supported on hubmember 112, the strip is freely payed out from the roll around guidewheel 54 and around and under wheel 66 whereby it is firmly, rapidly anduniformly applied to panel 130. Side runners 34 ride on the raisedplanular sections 132 of panel 130 astride valley 134. The adherance ofcaulking strip 114 to panel 130 also serves as an anchor whereby thecaulking strip is dispensed from its roll when the apparatus 10 of myinvention is manually pushed to slide over panel 130.

Corrugated panels and 142 shown in cross and longitudinal section inFIGS. 8 and 9, respectively, and FIGS. 11-13, respectively, togetherwith panel 130 of FIG. 3 are frequently used in the construction ofbuildings. I contemplate the apparatus 10 of my invention to be easilyadaptable for use on either of corrugated panels 140 and 142 by removingcentral runner 24 from carriage device 12 by unfastening screw means 30.I also remove screw fasteners 64 and nuts 60 to remove yoke member 62carrying wheel 66, and spacer sleeve 56. Pin 52 is reinserted in sidewalls 46 and 48 with pressure roller 144 rotatably mounted thereon. Thusreadily and easily modified, the apparatus 10 of my invention as shownin FIGS. 7-10 accomplishes the application of caulking strip 114 to thecrest portion 146 of the corrugation of the panel design illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 10. As shown, spaced runners 32 and 34 ride in the adjacentvalleys of corrugated panel 140 and are longitudinally guided therein bythe slopping sides thereof. I illustrate in FIG. 8, caulking strip 114being applied by the apparatus 10 of my invention traversally across thecorrugations of panel 140 by runners 32 and 34 sliding over adjacentcrests 146 of the corrugations. Caulking strip 114- is laid in thevalleys and on the crests of the corrugations of panel 140 by thepivotal movement of strip applicator device 14 as the caulking strip isdispensed from its roll and pressure roller 144 follows the contour ofthe corrugations of panel 140. Runners 32 and 34 span adjacent crests146 of the corrugations to allow unimpeded movement thereacross whilethe caulking strip 114 is being applied by the apparatus of my inventionwith uniform pressure over the crest and valleys of the corrugatedpanel. The operation of my invention is the same when caulking strip isapplied to panel design 142 shown in FIGS. 11-13.

After the corrugated panel is provided with caulking strip along therequired edges thereof by means of the apparatus 10 of my invention, andthe paper strip 146 separating the convolutely rolled caulking strip114, is removed from the caulking strip material, the edges ofoverlapping panel member 148 is placed thereover to provide an effectiveseal therebetween as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that my invention providesnew and novel means for applying a caulking strip on corrugated sheetslongitudinally and laterally thereof with ease, simply, rapidly and withthe minimum amount of labor.

It is understood that modifications to the structure of my invention mayoccur to one skilled in the art to which this invention appertains toobtain cooperation of various parts thereof to different designs ofcorrugated building panels. For example, lateral runners 32 and 34 couldbe provided with different configurative forms depending upon thecorrugated contour of the panel. Also it is noted, as another example,that sleeve base 100 is off-set from the longitudinal center line ofcarriage device 12. This construction provides a stiffened constructionand affords a less obstructed view of the working area and also placesthe roll of caulking strip rotatably supported on handle bar 104 invertical alignment with the wheel assembly of strip applicator device14. If it is desired to double the roll capacity supportably on handlebar 104, the apparatus of my invention may be modified to connect thesleeve base 100 at the center of carriage device 12 and duplicate rollsupport means 110 on the opposite side of handle bar 104 to rotatablyhold a second convolutely rolled caulking strip. Though the verticalalignment of the rolls of caulking strip 114 will be slightly off-set toeither side, guiding means 54 would be adequate to align the caulkingstrip 114 through the strip applicator device 14.

I claim: 1. An apparatus for applying caulking strip to a corrugatedsurface comprising:

a carriage device having,

a generally horizontal member, lateral runners dependingly supportedfrom said horizontal member in spaced apart relation, a central runnerdependingly supported from said horizontal member between said lateralrunners, said central runner being vertically spaced below said lateralrunners; a strip applicator device comprising,

a frame member, and a wheel rotatably supported on said frame member,said strip applicator device being pivotally connected to said carriagedevice for up and down movement; spring means between said carriagedevice and said strip applicator device,

said spring means urging said strip applicator device downward in itspivotal movement; handle means connected to said carriage device, 2. Anapparatus for applying caulking strip to a panel member havinglongitudinally extending and alternately spaced raised and recessedsurfaces, comprising:

a carriage device having runners for slidable support,

said runners including a central runner for slidable movement on therecessed surface of said panel, and lateral runners spaced astride saidcentral runner and vertically spaced therefrom for slidable movement onthe raised surfaces of said panel;

a wheel assembly connected to said carriage device,

a wheel rotatably mounted on said wheel assembly being axially movableup and down; and

means for biasing said wheel assembly being axially movable up and down;and

means for biasing said wheel for downward movement.

said handle means inclined upright over said strip applicator device,and

means on said handle for rotatably supporting a convolutely rolledcaulking strip.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said central runner of said carriagedevice is further characterized by being removable from said carriagedevice, and said lateral runner being slidably movable on said panelstraddling said raised surfaces thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said wheel assembly is furthercharacterized by; being connected to said carriage device to pivotrelative thereto; having guide means for guiding said caulking strip tosaid wheel; and a spring member between said wheel assembly and saidcarriage device as means for biasing said wheel for downward movement.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said wheel assembly is furthercharacterized by; being connected to sa d carriage device to pivotrelative thereto; having guide means for guiding said caulking strip tosad wheel; and a spring member between said wheel assembly and saidcarriage device as means for biasing said wheel for downward movement.

6. An apparatus for applying caulking strip to a panel member havinglongitudinally extending and alternately spaced raised and recessedsurfaces, comprising:

a carriage device having,

a generally horizontal member,

lateral runners dependingly supported from said horizontal member inspaced apart relation,

a central 1ftunner dependingly supported from said horizontal memberbetween said lateral runners,

said central runner being vertically spaced below said lateral runners;a strip applicator device comprising,

a frame member, means for guiding said caulking strip through said framemember, a roller rotatably supported on said frame memher; said stripapplicator device being connected to said carriage device for up anddown pivotal movement;

spring means between said carriage device and said strip applicatordevice for biasing said strip applicator device for downward pivotalmovement;

handle bar means connected to said carriage device,

said handle bar means inclined upward over said strip applicator device,and

hub means on said 'handle bar for rotatably supporting said caulkingstrip in convolutely rolled form.

7. An apparatus applying caulking strip to a panel member havinglongitudinally extending and alternately spaced raised and recessedsurfaces, comprising:

a carriage device having,

a generally horizontal member,

lateral runners dependingly supported from said horizontal member inspaced apart relation,

a central runner dependingly supported from said horizontal memberbetween said lateral runners,

7 said central runner being vertically spaced below said lateralrunners; a strip applicator device comprising,

a frame member,

a wheel rotatably supported on said frame member for guiding saidcaulking strip through said frame member,

a second frame member removably connected to said first frame member forextending the reach of said first frame member,

a second Wheel rotatably supported on said second frame member at thedistal end thereof,

said strip applicator device being connected to said horizontal memberof said carriage device for up and down pivotal movement;

spring means between said horizontal member of said carriage device andsaid frame member of said strip applicator device for biasing said stripapplicator device for downward pivotal movement;

8 handle bar means connected to said carriage device,

said handle bar means being inclined upward over said strip applicatordevice, hub means on said handle bar for rotatably supporting saidcaulking strip in convolutely rolled form; and bar means on said handlefor axially retaining said rolled caulking strip on said hub means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1965 Rapp 156--71 FOREIGNPATENTS 382,835 11/1932 Great Britain.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHETT, Primary Examiner S. C. BENTLEY, Assistant Examiner

